Announcements

EPA FY15 National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program – EPA’s Request for Proposals will be released in spring 2015; approximately $12-14 million will be offered. Priority will be given to proposals which demonstrate diesel emission reductions from engines involved in goods movement, diesel emission reductions in areas of poor air quality, outcomes that benefit the community, and community engagement/partnerships. Read more

USDA Funds for Revolving Loan Funds to Finance Water/Wastewater Projects -
Applications due April 13, 2015 for the establishment of lending programs for financing small capital projects to improve current water/wastewater systems. Approximately $1 million. More information

USDA Funds for Farmers Market Promotion – Applications due May 14, 2015 for projects increasing access to local/regional agricultural products. Approximately $13 million; no matching necessary. Individual awards will be between $15,000-$100,000. A webinar will be held on March 25, 2015. Read more

USDA Funds for Local Food Promotion – Applications due May 14, 2015 for (1) planning the establishment/expansion of a local/regional food business (grants ranging from $5,000-25,000) or (2) establishing/expanding a local/regional food business (grants ranging from $25,000-100,000). 25% matching funds required. A webinar will be held on March 25, 2015. More information

Air Quality Awareness Week is April 27 – May 1, 2015. Tips for reducing pollution and resources for teachers, weathercasters, and state and local governments are available now. More information

EPA Environmental Finance Center (EFC) Grant Program - Applications for the establishment of regional EFCs are due by April 30, 2015. EFCs provide multi-media environmental finance expertise and outreach to regulated communities to help them develop sustainable solutions to “how-to-pay” issues associated with meeting environmental standards and goals. Eligible entities include public and private non-profit universities and colleges and certain non-profit organizations. Ten awards totaling approximately $48 million are expected for the six-year period, FY 2016-2021. In FY 2016, total estimated funding is expected to be $8 million. Learn More

Dept. of Energy Funding for Traveler Response Architecture Using Novel Signaling for Network Efficiency in Transportation (TRANSNET) – Concept papers due by April 14, 2015. Applicants are challenged to develop mechanisms for individual travelers that signal and guide them toward more energy efficient use of the transportation network in multimodal urban areas. Seeking improved transportation network efficiency without substantial investment in new infrastructure, improvements in modal efficiency, or perceptible reduction in quality of service or the reliability of the system. Applicants must develop a system model and a control architecture (detailed instructions provided). DOE expects to award approximately $10 million via 5-10 cooperative agreements that include cost sharing. Certain individuals, domestic and foreign entities, and consortia may apply. More information

Dept. of Transportation Funding for Provision of Transit-Oriented Development Technical Assistance – Applications due April 10, 2015. Funding is available for non-profit organizations with technical expertise in public transportation, transit-oriented development, land use, urban planning, public finance, affordable housing, environmental justice, and community-based economic development. DOT expects to award one cooperative agreement for approximately $4 million. More information

Advance Webinar Recording Available This webinar highlighted the experience of the Austin, Texas area with early air quality planning, including as a participant in Ozone Advance. It covered how the Austin area has set goals, engaged stakeholders, conducted outreach, and tracked/quantified local commitments. It also identified the types of local measures that are currently being pursued in Austin. Access recording

The Advance Program is a collaborative effort between EPA, states, tribes, and local governments. The program encourages expeditious emission reductions in ozone and fine particle (PM2.5) attainment areas to help these areas continue to meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The steps taken by program participants could:

Help attainment areas reduce emissions in order to ensure continued health protection,